Vote on ‘skinny repeal’ bill a victory for American public & public health advocates

Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate voted against the latest iteration of health care reform legislation, the Health Care Freedom Act. This “skinny repeal,” which proposed to eliminate individual and employer mandates for health insurance coverage and eradicate the Prevention and Public Health Fund, was defeated 51-49 with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and John McCain (R-AR) joining all Senate Democrats to vote against the measure.

“The defeat of this bill demonstrates the strength of public health advocacy in action,” says Elaine Auld, MPH, MCHES, SOPHE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Advocates across the country can be proud of voicing their opposition to legislation that would have rolled back the health care clock for millions of Americans, especially vulnerable populations.”

Over the past several months, SOPHE members have logged thousands of calls and emails to Congressional offices on both sides of the aisle. National and chapter SOPHE members have rallied for prevention and public health to remain a central component of any health reform bill at their members’ district offices, at town halls, in marches and rallies, and on Capitol Hill.

“As a next step, we urge members of Congress to work in a bipartisan, transparent manner on any future reforms that can strengthen the American health care system,” says Auld. “We stand ready to support health care legislation that protects the poor and uninsured via Medicaid, supports health education services in schools and retains the essential investment in the Prevention and Public Health fund.”

To view SOPHE’s various statements on recent health care reform proposals, including those with other public health organizations, see SOPHE News